Resist the Rotation

November 29th, 2009 | By areyes

The ability to create a forceful rotation of the trunk is an integral part of many common athletic movements, and strengthening that movement has become common practice in strength and conditioning programs across the world. Baseball players, boxers, figure skaters and gymnasts rely on trunk rotation to successfully perform every throw of the ball, swing of the bat and left hook to the body. To do this, athletes must strengthen and train their internal and external oblique, the musculature that creates rotation within the trunk. Woodchoppers, Medicine Ball Hip Throws and Straight Arm Cable Trunk Rotation have all become highly popular exercises to improve on this aspect. The left and right external oblique originate on the outer regions of the 5^th-12^th ribs and insert on the front region of the pelvis. When rotating to the left, the right external oblique contracts to pull the ribs closer to pelvis. When rotating to the right, the left external oblique performs the same action. The left and right internal oblique originate at the spine and front side of the pelvis and insert at the front side of the 8^th-10^th ribs. As rotation occurs to the left, the left internal oblique contracts to bring the ribs closer to the spine and pelvis. The same can be said for rotation to the right and the right internal oblique.

With the rapid rise in popularity of grappling sports, another aspect of this muscle group must be brought to the forefront: the ability to resist rotational forces being placed upon the body. In wrestling, jiujitsu and mixed martial arts, competitors are constantly trying to create an imbalance within the opponent to facilitate the gain of an advantageous position. (more…)